Bearing construction



Feb. 4, 1930. s. JOHNSON BEARING CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 25, 1927 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 4, 1930' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SETH JOHNSON, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE SAFETY CAR HEAT- ING 8c LIGHTING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY BEARING CONSTRUCTION This invention relates to bearing construction. One of the objects thereof is to provide a bearing construction which is practicaland highly efiicient. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature which is conveniently kept in repair and in proper Working order.- Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature in which lubricant is dependably supplied to all parts of the bearing and particularly in cases wherein it is ordinarily diflicult to keep a bearing lubricated properly, as in a bearing supporting an oscillating shaft or journal. Another ,object is to provide a construction of theabove nature in which replacement of worn bushin s is facilitated. Another object is to provi e a construction of the above nature which is simple and inexpensive. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of ele- .1nents,-and arrangements of parts as will be V exemplified in the structure to be herein- 26 after described and the scope of the ap lication of which will be indicated in the 01- lowing claims. In the accompanying drawing in which is ments of this invention, V

Figure 1 is a vertical section;

Figure 2 is an endelevation of a bushing shown in Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a side view of the bushing.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the severalviews of the drawing. I

. Referring now to the drawing in detail, there is shown in Figure 1 a shaft 10 havin an end journal portion 11 which is supporte in this bearing. The bearing comprises a shell 12 having a substantially cylindricalinterior within which is fitted a bushing 13.

The bushing 13 is of a suitable bearin metal 4 and the shell 12 is preferably ma e of a less expensive metal, such as steel or castiron.

The'bushing 13 is shown in Figures 2 and 3. It is in the form of a helical strip and is preferably made by rolling a strip of suitable bearin material into the helix shown. The helix is formed vwith a normal outer diameter largerthan the inside diameter of the shell 12 and is contracted slightly when pushed into place within the shell. When in position, 'the helical bushing member thus bears outwardly againstthe inner walls of the shell 12 and its tendency to expand holds it in place. I

The helix is formed with the adjacent coils thereof in spaced relation, as shown in the drawin", so that, when it is in' place within the she I it forms a helical groove extending about the inner wall of the shell. This groove forms a path by means of which lubricant may be evenly distributed'to all parts of the hearing.

The shell 12 is formed in one solid piece. As shown in Figure 1, it is carried in a, suitable support 14 and firmly clamped in position therein 'by a remova le cap 15 secured by clamping bolts 16. It will be understood that one 'or more. of these clamping bolts 16 is provided for the cap 12 oneither side of the bearing. By loosening the bolts 16 and 76 removing the cap 15 the shell 12 with the bushing 13 therein may be lifted out of the support 14 and slid off the end of the journal shown one of the various possible embodi- 11 i The shell 12 is provided with radially exso tending end flanges 17 and 18. A shoulder 19 on the journal 11 engages with the outer surface of the flange 18, anda cap 20 is preferably secured a ainst the flange 17. This cap covers the en of the bearing and the end of the journal and may be secured by bolts 21 which enter the flange 17, so that the cap is conveniently removable.

Through the cap 20 is a passage 22 b means of which lubricant may be admitte to the helical groove formed b the bushing 13. When grease is employ as a lubricant a grease cup 23 ma be employed for forcing the grease throng the passage 22 and along I the helical groove to all portions of the bear- 95 ing and the journal.

. This bearing is'capable of being renewed with the greatest convenience. It is necessary simply to remove the cap 15, slip the shell 12 from the end of the journal, remove the Worn bushing 13 and spring a new bushing into place. The shell 12 may be used indefinitely. There is no waste of bearing metal and the necessity of cutting out grooves in-the bearing or in the journal'for the passage of grease is avoided;

This bearing construction is of particular advantage for supporting an oscillating shaft,

such as the suspension shaft of a pivotally suspended generator in car lighting equipment. An oscillating shaft or journal of this type rotates through only a small angle, and it is very difficult ordinarily to-properly lubricate the bearings. In the construction herein disclosed, lubricant is dependably supplied to every portion of the bearing surface.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawing, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In bearing construction, in, combination, an outer shell having a substantially cylindricalinterior, and a lining for the interior of said shell comprising a strip of bearing metal coiled into a cylindrical helix, said helix having normally an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of said shell and be- 1ng sprung into engagement with the inner Wall of said shell and thereby held in place therein.

2. In bearing construction, in combination,

a solid metal shell having a substantially cylindrical interior, a bushing Within said shell comprising a strip of bearing metal in helical form, said helix having normally an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of said shell and being sprung into engagement with the inner wall thereof, a support for said shell, and a removable cap for clamping said shell in position in said support.

3. In bearing construction, in combination, a solid metal shell having a substantially cylindrical interior, a bushing within said "shell comprising a strip of bearing metal in helical form, said helix having normally an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of said shell, the adjacent coils of said helix being spaced apart thereby forming a lfelical groove about the interior of said -shell, a journal entering said bushing from one end, a cap closing the other end of said bushing and of said shell, and means for forcing lubricant through said cap into the adjacent end of said groove. I

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this'specification this sixteenthday of February, 1927.

SETH JOHNSON. 

